Refine
Refine: A focused Mac writing assistant with local processing and a $38 lifetime plan. Ranked #68 of 88 in Grammar Checkers by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan · 7-day trial; best for mac users wanting offline AI assistance.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 7-day trial
- Best forMac users wanting offline AI assistance
- Free planYes
- Paid from$38/device one-time
- Founded2025 · Canada
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Local-model processing supports offline writing assistance
- Works across Mail, Safari, Word, Slack, Notion, and more
- Lifetime plan unlocks all features without a monthly subscription
Where it doesn't
- Available only for macOS 14 or later
- Lifetime access is limited to one device
- Founded in 2025, with a narrower product footprint
Our verdict on Refine
Refine is a native macOS grammar checker and writing assistant for individuals who want writing support across their Mac applications. It provides inline grammar suggestions, fluency and style reviews, explanations for edits, rewriting, translation, text-to-speech, snippets, keyboard shortcuts, and custom prompts. Processing can run locally after the model is downloaded, while bring-your-own-key AI provider support offers another way to configure AI features. Refine supports macOS 14 or later and is designed for users who prefer offline assistance over a cloud-based subscription service.
The product’s application coverage is a major part of its value. Refine works with Mail, Messages, Safari, Chrome, Pages, Microsoft Word, Slack, Notion, Notes, Bear, Ulysses, Discord, Obsidian, Craft, and Scrivener. That range suits writers, professionals, students, and frequent Mac users who move between native apps, browsers, documents, messaging tools, and notes. Its feature set also extends beyond correction: rewriting presets, custom prompts, translation, text-to-speech, snippets, and keyboard shortcuts make it useful for broader writing workflows. Local processing is particularly relevant for users who want their writing assistance to run offline.
Refine uses a freemium model. The Free plan includes core grammar checking, limited advanced features, and no account or credit card requirement. The Lifetime plan costs $38 one time, unlocks all features, includes future updates, supports one device, and avoids a monthly subscription. A seven-day free trial is also available. The tradeoff is platform scope: Refine is Mac-only, and the one-device limit may not suit users who work across multiple computers. Choose Refine for focused, offline Mac writing assistance; consider a broader alternative if cross-platform access or a more established product is essential.
Your product? Our editors can test Refine in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Refine pricing
All 2 Refine plans and prices →
Refine fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $38/device one-time |
| Browser extension | Not verified |
| Desktop app | Yes |
| Mobile app | Not verified |
| Style suggestions | Yes |
| Tone detection | Not verified |
| Languages supported | 36 |
| Free trial | 7 days · no card needed |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | macOS |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 20 integrations: Mail, Messages, Safari, Chrome, Pages, Microsoft Word … |
| Pricing | Free plan · 7-day trial (source) |
| Website | refine.sh |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Refine integrations
Refine lists 20 integrations on its own site.
- Messages
- Safari
- Chrome
- Pages
- Microsoft Word
- Slack
- Notion
- Notes
- Bear
- Ulysses
- Discord
- Obsidian
- Craft
- Scrivener
- Day One
- Spark
- Firefox
- Telegram
Alternatives to Refine
- GrammarlyA broad writing assistant with strong grammar, tone, rewriting, and AI coverage.9.4
- LanguageToolA broad multilingual checker with open-source and self-hosting options.9.2
- Microsoft EditorA strong Microsoft 365 writing assistant with focused platform coverage.9.0
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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